Prevent Thinning Hair

Skin care is not just about your face, but your neck and scalp as well. The scalp produces a natural body oil called sebum, which softens the hair follicles and protects them from the elements. If your scalp is unhealthy, most likely your hair will be too.

I used to have the kind of hair that had people thinking I had human hair extensions. It was thick, heavy, and the strands were coarse, strong, and wavy. Then I developed a low thyroid disorder. (I realized it when my scalp was always burning with an intense itch.) No matter what kind of conditioner I used my scalp was dry and my locks suddenly became brittle and thin. I thought I was the least likely person to ever need extensions and volume-oriented hair products, but I was wrong.

Then I heard about Nioxin, a scalp treatment developed by a hair dresser and a team of hair loss experts recommended for women who suddenly have lost half the volume in their hair. I was skeptical but what got my attention was the fact that Nioxin had different hair care systems to treat specific hair problems. Nioxin works by treating the scalp, protecting the hair follicles, and increases each strand’s density and strength. Basically, it helps the remaining hairs stay on the head by thickening each strain like keratin protein.

Nioxin is formulated to increase blood circulation in the scalp so the hair follicles don’t fall out from lack of nutrients. The shampoo contains white tea extract and peppermint, which stimulate blood flow in the skin. When you start using it your head will tingle for a few minutes, which means blood flow is increasing on the surface of the skin. The conditioner contains SPF to prevent the scalp from being damaged by UV rays. Make sure you select the right system. I chose System 8 because I had spent years dying my hair and using hot appliances when I styled my various hairdos. To undo the damage required a gentle but effective cleanser and a treatment conditioner that moisturized my scalp and hair. Within a few days the terrible itch on my scalp was gone and there was less hair in the sink and on my hairbrush.

I have been using Nioxin for about four months now and there are some new hairs on the top of my head that are covering up my scalp. So far, I only have to wear clip-in extensions such as bangs or extra strands of hair in the back. No one ever noticed that my hair was thinning, and I’m no longer worrying about becoming a candidate for a transplant.

Jackie Morrison is an arts and culture writer in California who loves foreign film and actors, photography, gourmet food, travel, and spa retreats. Jackie credits Paula Begoun with inspiring her love of beauty blogging. In her spare time she enjoys the natural beauty of California and reads books by Jojo Moyes and Anita Shreve.